The Men Behind The Final Draft Of The Constitution

The United States Constitution, the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution, was drafted by a committee at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. The Committee of Detail, including John Rutledge, Edmund Randolph, Nathaniel Gorham, Oliver Ellsworth, and James Wilson, was tasked with creating the first draft. The Committee of Style, including Gouverneur Morris, Alexander Hamilton, William Samuel Johnson, Rufus King, and James Madison, revised the draft and prepared the final version. Morris, later known as the Penman of the Constitution, is often credited with writing the final draft. The Constitution was then signed by the delegates and submitted to Congress for ratification.

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The Committee of Detail

To prepare, the committee first studied the Convention's resolutions, state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, and other applicable reports and documents. Edmund Randolph of Virginia then wrote out a rough draft of a constitution, which the committee discussed. James Wilson revised Randolph's draft, and the committee reviewed it. A clean copy was sent to prominent Philadelphia printers John Dunlap and David Claypoole, who printed enough copies for use by the delegates. The draft was kept secret to avoid controversy.

From August 6 to September 10, the report of the committee of detail was discussed, section by section and clause by clause. Details were attended to, and further compromises were made. The committee's report conformed to the resolutions adopted by the convention, with some additional elements. A twenty-three-article (plus preamble) constitution was presented.

After five weeks of debate over the committee of detail's draft Constitution, the Constitutional Convention appointed a committee of style to prepare a final version. Gouverneur Morris, later known as the "penman of the Constitution," did most of the work on the final draft. The final draft, presented to the convention on September 12, contained seven articles, a preamble, and a closing endorsement. The committee also presented a proposed letter to accompany the constitution when delivered to Congress.

The Committee of Style

The drafting of the US Constitution was a collaborative and iterative process involving multiple committees and individuals. It was influenced by various sources, including the state constitutions, the Articles of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the writings of European political philosophers such as Montesquieu and John Locke. The Constitution's first three articles embody the doctrine of the separation of powers, dividing the federal government into the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

The final document, engrossed by Jacob Shallus, was taken up on September 17, 1787, at the convention's final session. Despite some disappointment from delegates, the Constitutional Convention voted in favour of the Constitution, and it became the law of the land. The US Constitution is the oldest and longest-standing written and codified national constitution in force in the world.

The role of Gouverneur Morris

Gouverneur Morris, born on January 31, 1752, was an American statesman, diplomat, and financial expert. He played a significant role in the drafting of the United States Constitution and is often referred to as the "Penman of the Constitution." Morris was a delegate from Pennsylvania to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and served on two central committees: the Committee of Style and Arrangement and the Committee on Postponed Parts, also known as the Committee of Eleven.

On the Committee of Style and Arrangement, Morris worked alongside Alexander Hamilton, William Samuel Johnson, and James Madison, to edit the final text and details of the Constitution. Morris is credited with authorship of the final version of the preamble, including changing the opening line to "We, the People of the United States," which has become an iconic phrase. Morris's work on the committee was described by Catherine Drinker Bowen as that of an "amanuensis," suggesting that his pen was responsible for most of the draft and its polished form.

Morris also played a crucial role in shaping the structure and language of the Constitution as a whole. He advocated for a strong central government and a powerful executive branch, arguing against limiting presidents to a single term. Additionally, he was one of the most outspoken opponents of slavery among those present at the Constitutional Convention, stating that it was incongruous to consider a slave both a man and property. Morris's beliefs and arguments influenced the final document, reflecting his ideas about citizenship and his commitment to religious freedom.

Following the ratification of the Constitution, Morris served as Minister Plenipotentiary to France and later returned to the United States, where he was elected to the Senate in 1800. Despite his political career, Morris is often overlooked, and his contributions to the Constitution are not widely recognized, earning him a place among the "Forgotten Founders" of the nation. However, his impact on the language and structure of the Constitution is undeniable, and he rightfully deserves the title of "Penman of the Constitution."

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The role of James Madison

James Madison (1751–1836) was an American Founding Father, statesman, and diplomat who played a pivotal role in drafting, promoting, and defending the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights. He is popularly acclaimed as the "Father of the Constitution" and was one of its most fervent advocates.

Madison's involvement in shaping the Constitution began with his dissatisfaction with the weak national government established by the Articles of Confederation. He helped organize the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia, which produced a new constitution designed to strengthen the republican government against democratic assembly. Madison played a crucial role in calling this convention and shaping the deliberations. He sought to remedy the weaknesses of the federal government under the Articles of Confederation and address internal injustices within the states.

During the Constitutional Convention, Madison worked tirelessly, often behind the scenes, to shape the content and direction of the Constitution. He was a delegate from Virginia and served on various committees, including the Committee of Detail, tasked with drafting a detailed constitution. Madison's records of the debates and deliberations during the convention, published after his death, remain a valuable source for detailing these discussions.

Following the convention, Madison actively promoted the ratification of the Constitution. He collaborated with Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to write a series of essays, known as The Federalist Papers, in support of ratification. These essays were published under the pseudonym "Publius" and played a crucial role in shaping public opinion toward the Constitution. Madison also introduced proposed amendments in Congress, emphasizing the role of public opinion in a republic and addressing concerns about potential threats to liberty.

Madison's influence extended beyond the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. He became a key adviser to George Washington, helping with his inaugural address and influencing the establishment of Cabinet departments. Madison also served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817, further shaping the early development of American constitutional government and foreign policy.

The ratification process

The Constitutional Convention of 1787, which drafted the new Constitution, agreed that the document would only be binding once it was ratified by nine of the 13 existing states. The first state to ratify the Constitution was Delaware on December 7, 1787, followed by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, and Connecticut. Pennsylvania's convention Anti-Federalist minority published their "Dissent" opinion. Massachusetts became the sixth state to ratify the Constitution, but it requested 19 alterations. Maryland became the seventh state to ratify the Constitution, followed by South Carolina, which requested two alterations.

On July 2, 1788, Congress received news that New Hampshire had become the ninth state to ratify the new Constitution, making it the law of the land. The date of June 21, 1788, is also mentioned as the day New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the Constitution, thus making it the official framework of the US government. The ratification process ended when the final state, Rhode Island, ratified the Constitution on May 29, 1790.

In total, eleven states ratified the Constitution, which instituted a new form of government for the United States.

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